title: Patterns of intimate partner violence in a large, epidemiological sample of divorcing couples.
abstract: In many jurisdictions divorcing couples are court-ordered to participate in divorce mediation to resolve parenting plan disputes prior to a court allowing a case to proceed to trial. Historically, a significant number (40-80%) of these divorcing couples enter this highly stressful legal process having experienced violence and abuse within the relationship (Pearson, 1997). Several researchers have developed typologies that describe couple-level patterns of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A) behaviors; one research team suggested their typology could apply specifically to such divorcing people (Kelly & Johnson, 2008). In this context, identification and accurate classification of IPV/A can lead to better decisions as long-term, difficult to modify custody orders concerning the children are made during divorce mediation. Accurate identification and classification of IPV/A can also assist clinical researchers designing specialized interventions for couples and individuals experiencing IPV/A, mental health practitioners who may treat these families, and custody evaluators who may make recommendations to the courts. The current study includes a large epidemiological sample of divorcing couples and provides a robust statistical solution with five distinct categories of IPV/A. Two of the five categories were similar to those proposed by Johnson (2006c). The current study also provides descriptions and frequencies of each type of IPV/A, and discusses implications for court personnel, researchers and practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona.
authors.forename: Connie J A
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Edward R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Karey L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: G Andrew H
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Benjamin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002655:Child Custody / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004243:Divorce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*